Regulators Warn Thailand Over Drug Pricing Policy

Law360, New York (August 10, 2007, 12:00 AM EDT) -- European Commission regulators have warned the government of Thailand over its use of compulsory licenses for certain medicines, claiming that the country's pricing policy may violate the rights of European patent holders.

EC trade commissioner Peter Mandelson sent a letter to the Thai government criticizing a proposal that, if implemented, would allow the country to force drug companies to sell pharmaceuticals at lower prices, the Financial Times reported on Thursday.

Mandelson's letter attacked a government policy stating that “if drug companies wish to do business in...